Happier With You | ✓

Chapter 8

2 Months after Sage's mom died everything was different. Sage acted like it didn't bother her but i could tell deep down inside that it did. Cody was losing sleep and becoming more distant every day that passed.

After all the arguments and traveling back and forth, my parents decided it was best to just stay. Which was for the better.

-

I knocked on Sage's door and just let myself in without waiting for a response. I found her sitting in her bed, scrolling through her phone.

"Hey" Sage said, barely looking up.

"Hey." I replied closing the door behind me.

"We need to talk"

Sage finally looked up from her phone, her expression guarded. "About what?"

"About you acting like everything is okay when it's not." I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Sage's eye narrowed. "What are you talking about? I'm fine."

"No, you're not." I shot back, frustration creeping into my voice. "You're pretending like nothing happened, but i can see right through you. It's okay to not be okay, Sage."

Sage stood up "You don't know what you're talking about. Just because i'm not falling apart doesn't mean i'm pretending."

"Im your best friend sage. I know you." I insisted. "And i know you're hurting. It's not healthy to bottle everything up."

"Well maybe this is how im dealing with it." Sage snapped. "Not everyone grieves the same way, London."

I took a deep breath trying to calm down.

"I get that i really do. But shutting everyone out and pretending you're fine isn't dealing with it. It's just avoiding it."

Sage crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "What do you want me to do? Cry all day? Wear my grief on my sleeve so everyone can see how much im hurting?"

"No." I said softly. "I just want you to be honest with me. You don't have to go through this alone."

Tears welled up in Sage's eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. "I can't, London. If i let it out, i don't think i'll be able to stop."

I took a step closer and took her hands into mines.

"You don't have to do it all at once. Just take it one step at a time. I'm here for you no matter what."

Sage sniffed, her defenses finally crumbling.

"It's just so hard. I miss her so much."

"I know." I whispered pulling sage into a hug. "I miss her too. And it's okay. We'll get through this together."

Sage clung to me, tears streaming down her face. For this first time since her mom died, she allowed herself to fully grieve knowing that she had a friend by her side to support her.

"Thank you." Sage murmured through her tears. "I don't know what i'd do without you."

"You'll never have to know." I replied using my hands to wipe her face. "We're in this together, always."

"Now how about we grab lunch and movies with Cody?" I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Are you asking me to third wheel?" Sage laughed.

"Always."

We both got up and went through her closet.

"How is Cody?"

"He's been doing alright i guess." I shrugged. "He is just taking things day by day."

"Hows the recovery meetings been going?" Sage asked.